We decided to visit the Minto EcoHome project to see green building systems in action. Minto built this house as part of the CMHC Equilibrium NetZero Energy initiative. Their website does a better job at describing the project but here goes:
All-off switch: a switch by the front door and plugs throughout the house that are actually green. This way you can turn off all not vital electrical circuits (not alarms or alarm clocks, etc) when you leave the house.
Solar Energy Generation: all the energy generating is sold to the grid and what is needed is bought back. The reason that they did it this way is because if you try and use it first then you need expensive battery storage.
Passive Solar window design and open concept: including slate floors that helps with heat/cooling.
Cross-ventilation and convection (ceiling fans) to promote natural air flow.
Triple pane low e-argon filled windows.
Recycled glass counter and back-splash in the kitchen with bamboo cabinets and bamboo floors throughout (cork floor in the basement).
Rainwater collection (the photo shows the downspout connected to PVC pipes directing water into the basement where it is stored in a large tank - check out the website for images of the tank in the basement): 550 gallon tank with smartsensors for irrigation and toilet flushing.
Solar air heating system: heat water that then preheats air by 25 degrees before forced air system.
Highly insulated ceiling.
Heat recovery ventilator.
Extended roof line provides shading during the summer season.
Solar hot water heating: two 454 litre storage tanks in the basement.
When we were touring the house, the majority of the other people there were asking about when houses like this will be available for sale. While a lot of the principles can be borrowed, it was clear that as this house is a demonstration project a lot of work has to be done to figure out cost and feasibility. It was great to see Minto taking the steps to make this happen.
Visit: www.minto.com/ecohome for more information.
All-off switch: a switch by the front door and plugs throughout the house that are actually green. This way you can turn off all not vital electrical circuits (not alarms or alarm clocks, etc) when you leave the house.
Solar Energy Generation: all the energy generating is sold to the grid and what is needed is bought back. The reason that they did it this way is because if you try and use it first then you need expensive battery storage.
Passive Solar window design and open concept: including slate floors that helps with heat/cooling.
Cross-ventilation and convection (ceiling fans) to promote natural air flow.
Triple pane low e-argon filled windows.
Recycled glass counter and back-splash in the kitchen with bamboo cabinets and bamboo floors throughout (cork floor in the basement).
Rainwater collection (the photo shows the downspout connected to PVC pipes directing water into the basement where it is stored in a large tank - check out the website for images of the tank in the basement): 550 gallon tank with smartsensors for irrigation and toilet flushing.
Solar air heating system: heat water that then preheats air by 25 degrees before forced air system.
Highly insulated ceiling.
Heat recovery ventilator.
Extended roof line provides shading during the summer season.
Solar hot water heating: two 454 litre storage tanks in the basement.
When we were touring the house, the majority of the other people there were asking about when houses like this will be available for sale. While a lot of the principles can be borrowed, it was clear that as this house is a demonstration project a lot of work has to be done to figure out cost and feasibility. It was great to see Minto taking the steps to make this happen.
Visit: www.minto.com/ecohome for more information.
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